From an artist that I will definitely be learning more bout, here’s a minimalist Cranberries cover. Learn more about Jay at www.jaybrannan.com or find him on Facebook.

He’s put out an album of covers and also has a great body of original work, which you can find on iTunes.

I’m a little slow to this, but rest in peace, Mister Charlie Louvin. Along with brother Ira, the Loudermilks from Alabama became the Louvin Brothers and shaped harmonies that influenced bluegrass, rockabilly and pop artists such as the Everly Brothers, the Byrds and the Beatles. The Louvin brothers are now home with Jesus but their contributions continue across several genres of music.

This song dates back to the 1870′s. But Leadbelly made it popular outside of the south and Appalachia in the 1940′s. Then Nirvana brought it out of retirement in their MTV Unplugged set. I highly encourage you to seek out alternate versions of this song.

I cannot believe I’m just getting around to posting this hauntingly beautiful cover of Tears for Fears’ “Mad World” by Gary Jules. Did you first catch onto this through Donnie Darko, a video game commercial or some other means? I’d love to hear!

Brooklyn roots-rockers The Morning Pages illustrate just how far a Macbook with iLife and a YouTube channel will get you in this world. Catchy country-rock groove that I would actually listen to on the way to work.

Jamey Johnson is hereby forgiven for co-writing “Honky Tonk Badonka Donk.” Of course, if push came to shove, he wouldn’t even have to do this awesome cover for me to forgive him. He’s old-school country and I dig it.

The Band has been on my internal playlist a lot this week. Here’s Travis doing a great cover of  “The Weight.”

Wow. Has it really been late December 2009 since the last post? Color me embarrassed.

I guess having our second son in early January put this blog on the back burner. Even so, it’s been averaging over 500 hits a month on a consistent basis – with no new content in almost 9 months.

Here’s new-wave ballad “The Promise” by When in Rome, performed acoustically for a radio show by Blue October. This tune gained some renewed interest when it was used in the closing scene of Napoleon Dynamite. I really enjoy being able to focus on the well crafted lyrics, which are brought out in this cover.

I’m back!

For my wife, who is not feeling well today. I hope you dig it, Lil Bit.

Open Mic Monday!

Here’s Salim of Kenya with a cover of Simon & Garfunkel or the Bangles, depending on your age. I love this because there are animals making noise around the microphone while the man sings and plays. Cool guitar too.